Church of England to vote on allowing women bishops

Rose Hudson-Wilkin, chaplain to Queen Elizabeth II and the Speaker of the House of Commons, poses for a photograph during an interview with AFP in London on July 9, 2014. The Church of England could vote to allow female bishops for the first time in its history on Monday, ending half a century of bitter divisions over the role of women. -- PHOTO: AFP

LONDON (AFP) - The Church of England could vote to allow female bishops for the first time in its history on Monday, ending half a century of bitter divisions over the role of women.

A yes vote by its governing body, the General Synod, could see the first women appointed to the Anglican Church's top jobs by the end of this year.

Although the idea of female bishops was rejected in 2012, senior church figures are hopeful it will pass this time after a careful reconciliation process involving figures who previously worked to bring peace to Northern Ireland.

"I am hopeful that we will pass, the votes I think are there," Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby told BBC television.